Unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes, formed by an essentially rectangular liquid-filled pool ( 1 ) comprising the following components arranged from one end of the pool to the other, namely: a liquid suction and backflow area ( 2 ), an area ( 3 ) in which a wave of the liquid is created and conditioned, a gliding area ( 4 ), and a liquid recovery area ( 5 ). The invention is suitable for use in training in water-based board sports and for recreational purposes.

The present invention relates to a unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes

Training in water-based traction board sports such as water skiing, for example, cannot currently be carried out except on a natural lake, river or ocean water surface. Training of this type is therefore strongly dependent on unknown climatic variables. Moreover, the necessity for providing a traction motor, such as an outboard motor, does not facilitate the training conditions as this significantly increases the costs.

One of the aims of the present invention is also to provide a unit for training in water-based traction board sports which, more especially, also allows the above-mentioned drawbacks to be obviated.

Another aim is to provide a unit of this type which can be disassembled and transported to allow training of this type anywhere.

These aims, as well as other aims, which will appear later, are addressed by a unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes, which is characterised, according to the present invention in that it comprises a pool which is substantially rectangular and filled with liquid and which comprises, from one end to the other, a suction and backflow area for this liquid, an area in which a wave of the liquid is created and conditioned, a gliding area and a recovery area for this liquid.

The liquid suction and backflow area advantageously comprises a suction-force pump unit allowing liquid to be circulated from the recovery area toward the area for creation and conditioning.

The area in which a wave of the liquid is created and conditioned preferably comprises a converging device which is kept in position in the pool by all known means and of which the inlet is fed with liquid by the pump unit and the outlet arranged at the beginning and slightly above the gliding area.

The gliding area advantageously comprises a platform which is substantially horizontal and is kept in position in the pool by all known means, said platform being situated slightly above the level of the liquid in the pool and slightly below the level of the converging device.

The recovery area is preferably situated at the other end of the pool in relation to the suction and backflow area.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the recovery area is covered by a net or any other equivalent means of protection.

The description which follows and which does not have any limiting character is to be read in relation to the accompanying figures in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the unit of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of this unit along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

As can be seen from these Figures, a unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes comprises, in accordance with the invention, a pool with a generally rectangular shape, designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1, which is filled with a liquid such as water and which comprises, from one end to the other, a liquid suction and backflow area 2, an area 3, in which a wave of this liquid is created and conditioned, a gliding area 4 and a liquid recovery area 5.

This pool 1 may comprise that of an outdoor swimming pool, for example, arranged in a superstructure 6, which is known. This pool, in a known manner, comprises a liquid inlet as well as means for emptying. This pool may be of a type which can be disassembled to allow installation anywhere.

The liquid suction and backflow area 2 comprises a suction-force pump unit 7 allowing the liquid to circulate from the recovery area toward the creation and conditioning area 3. The number of pumps and their dimensions will be a function, on the one hand, of the size of the pool 1 and, on the other hand, of the characteristics of the liquid wave.

The area 3, in which a wave of the liquid is created and conditioned, comprises a converging device 8, of which the inlet is fed with liquid by the pump unit 7 and the outlet is arranged at the beginning and slightly above the gliding area 4. This converging device 8 allows a liquid wave with a defined height and speed to be delivered. It is kept in position in the pool 1 by all known means such that the space below it is free to allow the circulation of liquid from the recovery area 5 toward the suction and backflow area 2.

The gliding area 4 comprises a platform 9 which is substantially horizontal and kept in position in the pool 1 by all known means. This platform 9 is situated slightly above the level of liquid in the pool 1 and slightly below the level of the converging device 8. The liquid wave issuing from the converging device 8 glides on this platform 9 in the direction of the recovery area 5.

The recovery area 5 is arranged at the other end of the pool 1 in relation to the suction and backflow area 2. It may be covered by a net 10 or any other equivalent means of protection.

Anyone wishing to train in or embark on a water-based traction board sport positions himself on the platform 9 dressed in a harness and kept in position on this platform 9. For example, a post 11 may be provided which is fixed on the converging device 8 and on which is fixed a lead 12, the free end of which is connected to the harness of a user 13.

The characteristics of the wave of liquid are such that the user has the feeling, for example, of water skiing. He may thus train in or start the sport and carry out some moves.

In the case of a pool containing 60 m³ of water, about 1.5 m in depth and an internal surface area of about 105 m², the converging device 8 creates a wave of water with a height between about 5 and 8 centimetres and an initial speed in the order of 30 km/h or about 16 knots in other terms and the user appears to move at this speed. The gliding area 4 in an embodiment of this type is about 4 m in length.

According to the present embodiment, this unit comprises a rotary bridge 14 allowing the user 13 to position himself on the gliding area 4. 

1. A unit for training in water-based traction board sports and for recreational purposes, comprising a pool (1) which is substantially rectangular in shape and filled with liquid and which comprises, from one end to the other, a suction and backflow area (2) for this liquid, an area (3) in which a wave of this liquid is created and conditioned, a gliding area (4) and a recovery area (5) for this liquid, characterised in that the gliding area (4) comprises a platform (9) which is substantially horizontal and is kept in position in the pool (1) by all known means, said platform (9) being situated slightly above the level of the liquid in the pool (1) and slightly below the level of the converging device (8).
 2. A unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the liquid suction and backflow area (2) comprises a suction-force pump unit (7), allowing the liquid to circulate from the recovery area towards the creation and conditioning area (3).
 3. A unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the area (3) in which a wave of the liquid is created and conditioned comprises a converging device (8) which is kept in position in the pool (1) by all known means and of which the inlet is fed with liquid by the pump unit (7) and the outlet is arranged at the beginning and slightly above the gliding area (4).
 4. A unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the recovery area (5) is arranged at the other end of the pool (1) in relation to the suction and backflow area (2).
 5. A unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the recovery area (5) is covered by a net (10) or any other equivalent means of protection. 